Excursion to Riga for 3 days. What to see in Riga in three days

Date of writing: 20.06.2024

Reading time: 11 minutes

Train tours to Riga: cities, resorts, routes and attractions. What you need to know when traveling by train to Riga. Tour operators.

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Riga (as well as other Baltic capitals) is simply a godsend for those who dream of a fabulous weekend. Most train tours to Riga are designed for just 3-5 days, during which tourists have time to leisurely get acquainted with the main attractions of the Latvian capital, stroll along its ancient streets, enjoy traditional cuisine in local restaurants and even drop into a couple of shopping centers. The standard program of Riga tours includes a sightseeing walking tour of the Old Town with a visit to the Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, Swedish Gate, Powder Tower, Bastion Hill, the Convention Courtyard and other important historical and architectural monuments. In addition, tourists are offered a variety of additional excursions, for example, a trip to the Rundāle Palace and Park Ensemble, a mini-trip to the medieval Jaunpils Castle or a tour of the Sugulde Nature Reserve.

Riga (as well as other Baltic capitals) is simply a godsend for those who dream of a fabulous weekend.

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For curious and tireless maximalists who are accustomed to getting a lot of impressions from every trip, combined tours are suitable, during which you can visit all the Baltic capitals at once. The three-day “Weekend to Latvia and Lithuania” tour will introduce you to the most interesting sights of Riga, Vilnius and Trakai, and by going on the “Riga and Tallinn for Christmas” tour, you will spend the pre-New Year week unforgettably.

Relocation options

You can get to Riga without transfers on branded passenger trains from Moscow and St. Petersburg. Moscow train 001Р “Latvijas Express” departs from Riga Station at 17:08, along the way it stops at nine stations and arrives in Riga 16.2 hours later, at 9:24. Due to their low cost, tickets for general seats are very popular, but to occupy comfortable sleeping places in such a carriage you will need luck.

During the winter and summer holiday season, when passenger traffic increases noticeably, an additional train “Jurmala” 003P/004P begins running between the two capitals. In addition, train 183Р/184Р is periodically scheduled from Riga to Moscow and back. It departs from the Riga railway station at 21:02 and arrives at the Riga railway station at 12:06.

Train 037Р “Baltia” runs from St. Petersburg to Riga; it departs from Vitebsk station at 17:20 and arrives at the station in Riga the next morning at 9:24. This schedule is very convenient for tourists: during the night on the road they have time to sleep well and arrive in Riga full of energy and ready for new experiences.

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When crossing the border by rail, passengers go through passport and customs control without leaving the train: border guards themselves enter the carriage, check their belongings and passports.

Riga railway station, where all trains arrive, is located in the central part of the city. By the way, within a five-minute walk from the station there is a minibus stop that takes you to Jurmala.

Best destinations for train travel

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Across Russia: from Moscow and from St. Petersburg, to the Northern capital, to Anapa, to Kazan, to the Black Sea
Austria Vienna
Baltics: Latvia ( Riga), Estonia (Tallinn)
Finland:

Sometimes it's great to go visit your neighbors for the weekend. For example, to Latvia. The journey from Moscow to Riga by air takes no more than two hours. Below are some of our recommendations on how to spend these three days to get maximum pleasure and impressions.

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Old town of Riga

Day one, Friday

On your first day, stroll through the narrow streets of the UNESCO-protected Old Town. The main attractions are Town Hall Square, the House of the Blackheads, the Courtyard of the Convention, fortress walls and towers, St. Peter's Church and the famous Dome Cathedral. If the weather is favorable, walk to the magnificent Art Nouveau architectural ensemble on Alberta Street, and if you wish, visit the Art Nouveau Museum, the apartment where the architect Konstantin Pekshens lived and worked. In the city center, don't miss the Freedom Monument, the boulevard ring and parks.

Albert Street

For lunch, head to the LIDO center, where you can enjoy excellent Latvian cuisine and beer prepared by local brewers in a favorite holiday spot on the banks of the Daugava. If you have any energy left in the evening, go to one of the Riga theaters. Performances usually start at 19:00.

LIDO Center

Day two, Saturday

We recommend going on an excursion to one of the most beautiful cities in Latvia - Sigulda. Travelers call these places “Latvian Switzerland” for their natural beauty. You will see the old and new castle in Sigulda, explore the largest Gutman Cave in Latvia, hear the legend of the Turaida Rose, visit the Turaida Manor and the medieval Turaida Castle, enjoy a magnificent panorama of the ancient bed of the Gauja River from the observation deck of the watchtower. We recommend having lunch at the picturesque tavern “Witch’s Kitchen”, where they prepare dishes of Latvian national cuisine.

Sigulda

Another worthy excursion is “Palaces and Castles of Zemgale”. You will make a stop at the castle of the Knights of the Livonian Order and the castle of the Dukes of Courland in the city of Bauska, visit the Rundāle Palace, built for the favorite of the Russian Empress Anna Ioannovna Ernst Biron. The creation of the great architect F.B. Rastrelli is located 80 km from Riga and is a fine example of 18th century Baroque architecture in Latvia.

If you decide to stay in the city on Saturday, do not miss the great opportunity to hear the sound of the world-famous organ of the Dome Cathedral. This musical instrument is an outstanding monument to the history of music. For any musician to play in the Dome Cathedral is a great honor. In October, November and December, concerts take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12:00.

Organ in the Dome Cathedral

Day three, Sunday

After breakfast at the hotel, leave your luggage in the storage room at the Central Station and head to Jurmala. This largest resort in the Baltics is located on the shores of the Gulf of Riga. And you can get to it from the center of Riga in just 20-30 minutes.

Jurmala

Jurmala is very romantic at any time of the year. A walk along the sea cleanses the soul and body better than any medical procedure. And the sound of the surf fills you with wisdom deeper than eastern meditation.

Walk from Lielupe to Dubulti, enjoy the unusual wooden architecture, take a photo in front of the concert hall in Dzintari.

And if you want to see Jurmala as it was for more than 100 years, go to the local city museum. Its collection contains hundreds of thousands of exhibits telling about life at the resort from the end of the 19th century to the present day.

At the end of the walk, take a resort “promenade” along the central pedestrian street Jomas. Here you can warm up in one of the cafes with a cup of coffee and a glass of Riga balsam, buy souvenirs and gifts.

Travel program in Latvia

All year 2019: arrivals on Fridays and Saturdays (if arrival is on Friday, then this is a free day)

Arrival dates on holidays: 08.03 01.05 09.05

Tour program

1 day. Riga
Arrival in Riga. Meeting at the railway station, transfer to the hotel. Things in the hotel storage room. Check-in is from 14:00.
Walking tour of the Old Town(on Saturdays at 10:00) - Town Hall Square, House of the Blackheads, Convention Courtyard, fortress walls and towers, St. Peter's Church and the Dome Cathedral. City center - Freedom Monument, Boulevard Ring and parks. You will have the opportunity to walk along the narrow streets of the Old Town, where you can hear the tread of “roaring centuries,” sit in cozy cafes and taste the famous Riga balsam with coffee and chocolate.
Free time. We suggest visiting the “LIDO” recreation center, where, in a favorite vacation spot on the banks of the Daugava, you can enjoy excellent Latvian cuisine and beer prepared by local brewers, or the authentic medieval restaurant “Rosengral” in the Old Town. In the evening you can attend an organ concert in the Dome Cathedral. Overnight at a hotel in Riga.

Day 2. Riga (Jurmala - Sunday)
Breakfast in the hotel. Free time or excursion program (additional fee).
Excursion to Jurmala(on Sundays ) - the largest resort in the Baltics, located on the shores of the Gulf of Riga. History of the resort town. The area from Lielupe to Dubulti with original wooden buildings and modern buildings. Unique country architecture. Concert hall in Dzintari, where popular festivals and competitions take place. At the end of the excursion, you will have the opportunity to walk along the central pedestrian street of the city - Jomas Street, visit the city museum, buy souvenirs, sit in cozy cafes and stroll along the seashore. Return to Riga. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3. Riga (Country Latvia - Monday)
Breakfast in the hotel. Rooms are available until 12:00. Things can be left in the hotel's storage room. Free time or excursion program (additional fee).
Country Latvia(on Mondays) - not far from the center of Riga, on the shores of the picturesque Lake Jugla, there is an open-air museum. Old buildings collected from all over Latvia will tell about the amazing history of the country, traditions and customs. Departure on your own. Departure to Moscow or St. Petersburg or Excursion to one of the most beautiful cities in Latvia, Sigulda(additional fee) - a city of sports, parks, history and beautiful legends. Sigulda is located 55 km from Riga. The famous city of romance, love, the city of history and beautiful legends. We invite you to visit the most famous sights of Latvia: the castle complex in Turaida, the ruins of the Livonian Order castle in Sigulda, the 18.8 m deep Gutmanis Cave, Return to Riga. Free evening.

tour cost

Tour cost per 1 person by season:

Low season

Program

1 day
Arrival at Riga.
Meeting at the railway station at the head carriage of your train. Hotel accommodation as rooms become available. Walking tour of the Old Town– overview of the main attractions of the city under the protection of the Organization UNESCO: Town Hall Square, House of the Blackheads, Convention Courtyard, fortress walls and towers, St. Peter's Church and the Dome Cathedral. City center - Freedom Monument, Boulevard Ring and parks.
Free time in the city. You can stroll through the quarters of the magnificent architectural ensemble in the Art Nouveau style. , optionally visit the Art Nouveau Museum . You will have the opportunity to walk along the narrow streets of the Old Town, sit in cozy Riga cafes and enjoy the taste of the famous Riga balsam. We suggest visiting the recreation center « LIDO» , where in a favorite vacation spot on the banks of the Daugava, you can enjoy excellent Latvian cuisine and beer prepared by local brewers, or the authentic medieval restaurant “Rosengral” in the Old Town.
Overnight at a hotel in Riga.

Day 2
Breakfast. Free day in Riga. We offer to visit interesting Riga museums - the history of Riga and navigation, Art Nouveau, porcelain, medicine, nature, ethnographic and others, as well as the ancient Riga Zoo in Mezaparks Park. On request - for an additional fee an individual excursion with a guide using transport from the proposed list: Free time . In the evening you have the opportunity to visit one of the Riga theaters. Overnight at a hotel in Riga.

Day 3
Breakfast. Free day in Riga.
Rooms are available until 12.00. You have the opportunity to travel to the resort city on your own Jurmala - the largest resort in the Baltics, located on the shores of the Gulf of Riga. Jurmala is very romantic at this time of year, a walk along the sea cleanses the soul and body better than any medical procedure, fills you with wisdom deeper than oriental meditation. You can stroll along the seashore, explore the cozy houses of country architecture, and the Dzintari concert hall. You will also take a resort “promenade” along the central pedestrian street of the city – Jomas Street, where you can warm up in one of the cafes with a cup of coffee and a glass of Riga balsam, buy souvenirs and gifts. Departure on your own.

Hotel information

Tour cost in euros per person until 04/30/2018
Payment in rubles according to the internal rate of the travel agency on the day of payment.

Additional charge

visa- 70 EUR for adults and children over 6 years old,
medical insurance-1 EUR per day, counting the days of departure and arrival (for persons over 65 years old - 2 EUR, over 80 years old - 4 EUR),
travel insurance(applies to hospitalization and visa refusal, payment upon request) - 3.5% of the total tour amount,
theater tickets (to be ordered in advance),
meeting and transfer to the hotel only by prior arrangement for an additional fee: railway hotel – 25 EUR, airport hotel – 30 EUR/car (1-3 people), provided that the confirmed hotel is located far from the station. If the hotel is within walking distance, a person who meets you at the station will accompany you to your place of residence,
Railway tickets Moscow - Riga - Moscow reserved seat from 8,000 rubles, coupe from 13,000 rubles (approximate price, tickets can be purchased independently or at the company’s office).

Additional expenses:

Lunches during excursions (~ 8-10 EUR)
Entrance fees to museums and other sites:
- Rundāle Palace - 3.50 EUR / 6.00 EUR (children/adults)
- Turaida Castle - 0.70 EUR / 3.00 EUR (children/adults)
- Castle in Sigulda - 1.00 EUR / 2.00 EUR (children/adults)
- Cesis Castle Complex - 2.50 EUR / 5.00 EUR (children/adults)
- Jurmala City Museum - Free
- Museum of Luminous Paintings in Jurmala - 1.00 EUR / 5.00 EUR (children/adults)

Helpful information

Required documents:LIST OF DOCUMENTS FOR VISA APPLICATION (visa processing time is 10-14 days, the deadline for submitting documents must be clarified).
1. International passport, valid for 3 months from the end of the trip, with at least 2 free pages and the personal signature of the owner. From the age of 14 you must have your own passport.
2. 1 color photo(for documents, color, on a white background, without corners and ovals, size 3.5 X 4.5 cm, face – 70% of the photo area, no more 6 months ago). Photos are required, including for children of any age.
3. Photocopy of internal passport(page with full name and page with current registration). If the surname in the internal civil passport does not match the surname indicated in the international passport, documents will not be accepted.
4. Certificate of income from work, or an account statement or a letter from the sponsor confirming his income
5. Completed questionnaire(including children of any age).
6. Copy of train or air tickets(if you purchase it yourself)
7 . Medical insurance policy(coverage 50,000 euros). Can be purchased in the office Additionally for children under 18 years old
1 . Until the age of 14, a child can be included in the parent’s passport (necessarily with a photo, regardless of age); from the age of 14, the child must have his own passport.
2 . A copy of the birth certificate and a copy of the internal passport (for children over 14 years old)
3 . Minor children traveling unaccompanied by their parents must have a notarized permission from both parents, which indicates who is responsible for the minor, and must also have their own foreign passport.
If a minor travels accompanied by one parent, it is necessary to have a notarized permission from second parent, valid in Schengen countries.
In the absence of a second parent, the following is provided:
- court decision on guardianship,
-certificate from the Orphan's and Orphans' Court regarding guardianship
- in cases of death of the second parent - a certificate of his death.
4. Copies of parents’ internal passports (page with full name and page with current registration).
5. Copies of the parent's valid Schengen visa if a visa is being requested for a child only.